Boiler washing and filling system.



F. W. MILLER.

BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I915.

1,238,172, Patented Aug. 28,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

. F. W. MILLER. BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATiON FILED FEB.23. Hi5. I I 1,238, 172. Patented Aug. 28,1917.

l\/l a J5 i 25 @l 14 7&e6'5e6x lweriz or F. W. MILLER.

BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

1,238,172. Patented Aug. 28,1917.

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

$3 II 1F UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. MILLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO F. W. MILLER HEATING CO., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYSTEM.

Application filed February 23, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK IV. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boiler IVashing and Filling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to locomotive boiler washout and refilling systems such as are adapted to be installed in round houses, and is designed to provide certain novel features of construction by means of which the efficiency of systems of this type may be materially increased.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to utilize to as large an extent as possible the heat units of the blow-off products for heating the cleaned water to be used for refilling purposes while at the same time saving the blow-off water and using it for washout purposes. This result is accomplished in my present system by separating the blow-off steam and water, conducting the blow-01f steam to the filling water reservoir to heat the water therein and conduct ing the blow-off water through a coil in the filling water reservoir where a portion of the heat units of the blow-01f water is transferred to the refilling water and then delivering the blowofl' water from this coil to the washing water reservoir where it is available for washout purposes.

Another object of my invention is to maintain a circulation of water in the washout and refilling lines, so that water of the desired temperature will always be accessible at the drops, and more particularly to maintain the circulation of the washout water without unduly cooling the water in the washout reservoir and without wasting the washout water by causing it to overflow from the washout reservoir, as it customarily does as the result of the continual admission of cold water to the washout line by the automatic tempering device.

It is well known to those familiar with this art that boilers are washed out immediately after they are blown off and while they are still hot. If cold water is permitted to come in contact with the hot crown sheets and boiler plates injury to these plates and sheets will invariably result. It has therefore been the practice for some time to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Serial No. 9,888.

maintain a circulation of water in the washout line so that warm or hot water would always be present in the line for washout purposes. No satisfactory provision, however, has been made for maintaining a circulation of water in the drops, with the result that each drop contains eight to ten gallons or more of cold water which, when the washing operation is first begun, is discharged into the boiler against the hot plates and sheets.

Another object of my present invention is to obviate injury to the crown sheets and boiler plates which results from the admission of cold water to them by providing simple and effective means for maintaining a circulation of water in the drops.

Another object of my present invention is to replenish the water in the filling water reservoir, so as to meet the demands of ordinary usage without unduly cooling the water and to provide means for rapidly replenislr ing the water in case the demands upon the reservoir are so great as to reduce the quantity of water in the reservoir below a predetermined emergency level.

Other objects and advantageous features of this invention will be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a system embodying my invention, the reservoirs being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking toward the right at the reservoir shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asomewhat diagrammatic view, showing my novel means of maintaining a water circulation in the washout drops, and,

Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing a inodilied form of the means shown in Fig. 3.

On the drawings reference character 5 indicates the filling water reservoir, and 6 indicates the washing water reservoir, both of which are common to systems of this general type. In the present instance the two reservoirs are shown as of integral construction separated by a partition 7 but it should be understood that the reservoirs may be structurally independent of each other wherever such construction may be preferable.

The blow-otf steam and water are blown off from a locomotive through the blow-elf line 8 by means of suitable connections to an adjacent blow-off drop, this operation being well known to those familiar with the art. The blow-off products are discharged into a scale-pocket 11, in which the scale and sediment is collected and from which it may be discharged to a sewer pipe 12 by opening the valve 13. The blow-off steam is separated from the water above the closed scale-pocket and is conducted by a pipe ll into the filling water reservoir where it is discharged below the level of the water for the purpose of heating the same through a T shaped header l5 perforated to dis tribute the steam.

The blowoff water overflows from the scale-pocket through a pipe 16 which is connected with a coil or series of coils 17 disposed in the washing water reservoir. A portion of the heat units of the blow-off water is transferred during its passage through this coil to the refilling water and the blow-off water is thence conducted by a pipe 18 into the washing water reservoir where it is delivered below the surface of the washing water therein through a perforated header 19, similar in construction to the header 15. The coil 17 is also connected by the pipe 21 with the pipe 22 leading from the scale-pocket to the sewer pipe, so that when the valve 18 is opened to blow out and clean the scale-pocket the coil 17 is also simultaneously and automatically cleaned, the accumulated sediment being delivered to the sewer pipe. A check valve 23 is disposed in the pipe 21 to prevent back-flow of water and sediment from the scale-pocket into the coil 17.

It will be manifest that by this construction both the blow-off steam and water and the heat units thereof are conserved, the lJlOWOff steam being separated and delivered to the filling water reservoir to heat the water therein while the blow-off water is conducted through the filling water reservoir to the washing water reservoir, where it is available for washout purposes. During the passage through the filling water reservoir the blow-off water serves to heat the refilling water without contaminating the same or being mingled therewith.

In the event that the temperature of the refilling water should fall below a predetermined minimum, live steam is admitted to the filling water reservoir below the surface of the water therein from a live steam pipe 2st. A pipe 25 connected with the pipe 24: is equipped with a thermostatic valve 26 which is controlled from a thermostat 27 disposed in the filling water reservoir, and when valve 26 is opened live steam is admitted through pipe 25 and pipe 28 to a perforated header 29 from which it is delivered to the surrounding water. The live steam is utilized only when the water falls below a predetermined temperature, and in addition to the heat of the blow-elf water and steam, exhaust steam from a pipe 81 connected to receive the exhaust from the various pumps and engines around, the plant is continually introduced into the filling water reservoir through a pipe 32 equipped with a perforated header 33.

later is withdrawn from the filling water reservoir and delivered to the refilling line 3st by means of a pump 35 connected to the reservoir by a suction pipe 36. The steam for operating the pump is supplied from the live steam pipe 2ft through a branch 37 and the exhaust is delivered through a branch 38 to the main exhaust steam pipe 31. The pump is auteimitically controlled by a governor 39 actuated by variations in pressure in the refilling line St.

The water in the filling water reservoir is replenishedby cold clean water from a pipe ll connected with any suitable source of water supply. At one end of the reservoir 5 I have mounted a float-chamber d2 in which are disposed two floats, designated 43 and 4 1 respectively. Float $3 is connected to operate a valve 45 disposed in a branch 46 of the main water supply pipe ll and when the water level in the filling water reservoir falls below a predetermined maximum the valve 45 is opened by the float and water is delivered from the pipe 41 into the reservoir through a discharge pipe 47. The valve 45 and pipe d? are relatively small in size so that only a limited quantity of water is permitted to enter the reservoir. This prevents the water in the reservoir from being rapidly cooled down and enables practically its entire contents to be used for refilling purposes before a very large quantity in be replaced through this valve. Under normal operation the reservoir is'gradually refilled through the valve and water thus supplied is heated by the various heating de vices previously described so that the water is at all times as hot or hotter than is required.

Occasionally, however, the demands upon the refilling reservoir will be greater than normal and if several locomotives are re filled in rapid succession the valve will be inadequate to replenish the water in the reservoir. To handle such an emergency I have provided a second and larger tloat valve 48 which is operated by the float a l in the lower end of the chamber 42, and when the water in the reservoir becomes suliiciently low to operate the float stat the valve is will be opened and a considerable volume of water will be discharged into the reservoir through the pipe 49. This construction obviatesany danger of completely draining the reservoir as the valve :8 will open whenever the predetermined minimum level, determined by the float at, has been reached. Above this level replenishment is taken care of by the valve 45. The refilling line is equipped in the round house with the usual drops 51 and the end of the line is connected to a return pipe 52 through which the water is circulated back and delivered through the exhaust steam pipe 32 to the reservoir. This return pipe 52 relieves the pressure on the refilling line as well as acting as a circulating line, with the result that the pump will run continuously although slowly even when the system is not being used, and will maintain a circulation of water in the refilling line so that hot water. can be quickly obtained at any drop.

The washing water reservoir 6 receives its supply of water primarily from the blowoff of the locomotive, but if the blow-off water should be insutficient for the demands of the washout requirements the reservoir will be supplied with fresh water from the pipe 41 by the valve 53 controlled from a float 5% mounted in a float-chamber 55 at the end of the reservoir. The water is discharged into the reservoir from the valve 53 through a pipe 56.

In the event that the reservoir should become too full the surplus will overflow through pipe 57 to the sewer. Excessive pressure in the reservoir escapes through the vent pipe 58. A branch pipe 59 leading from the exhaust steam pipe 31 is adapted to deliver exhaust steam through a header 61 beneath the surface of the water in the reservoir for the purpose of heating the same. Excessive pressure in the exhaust pipe 31 escapes to the atmosphere through the safety valve 62.

ater is withdrawn from the washing water reservoir by the pump 63 through the intake pipe 6st and is delivered by the pump to the washout line 65 in the usual manner. The pump is operated by live steam supplied thereto through the branch 66 connected with the live steam pipe 2%, and the exhaust steam is discharged through the branch 67 to the exhaust pipe 31. The pump is controlled by a pressure governor 68 connected with the washout line 65, as shown in Fig. 1.

For the purpose or" tempering the washout water down to a temperature where it can be handled by the man handling the nozzle, I have provided a connection 69 between the cold water supply pipe 41 and the intake pipe 6st of the pump, and in this connecting pipe I have positioned a valve 71 which is controlled by a thermostat 72 disposed in the discharge pipe from the pump. When the washing water is too hot the valve 71 is automatically opened to admit cold water to the washing water drawn from the reservoir until the temperature of the washing water is reduced to the required temperature.

l/Vhen a locomotive has been blown off in the manner previously described it is next Washed out by water from the reservoir 6 and finally refilled. Since the boiler is very hot after it is blown off it is essential, in order not to injure the crown sheets and boiler plates, that the washing water, which is introduced into the boiler for the purpose of cleaning the same, be at a relatively high temperature which, in practice, is approximately 140 F., this temperature being about as hot as can be handled by the washermen. In order not to injure the boiler it has heretofore been customary to maintain a circulation of water in the washout line so that hot Water can be quickly obtained. No suitable provision, however, has been made for circulating the water in the drops with the result that when the water is first turned on eight or ten gallons or more of cold water, which has been standing in the drop, will be delivered against the hot plates in the boiler. To obviate the danger of injury to the boiler by contact of cold water with the hot plates I have provided means for circulating the water in the washout drops as well as in the washout line, which will now be described.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3 reference character 7 2 designates the washout drops, one of which is customarily disposed adjacent each washout pit. To each drop, near its lower end, I have connected a branch pipe 73 which is connected at its npper end to a loop 74 of a circulating line 7 5. The line 7 5 extends to the drop most remote from the washout reservoir and the return loop 7% extends backwardly parallel with the line 75 to the drop which is nearest to the reservoir. The drops are connected in succession to the loop 74 as shown in Fig. 3 so that suction exerted upon the line 7 5 will be applied to the drops in gradually decreasing amounts beginning with the most remote drop, while the pressure in the washout line will be applied to the drops in gradually decreasing proportion beginning with the drops nearest the reservoir. It will thus be obvious that the greatest suction will be applied to the drops having the least pressure thereon and the least suction will be applied to the drops having the greatest pressure thereon, with the result that the variations in suction and pressure exerted upon the various drops counter-balance each other and a uniform circulation of water is maintained in all of the drops.

The circulating line has, prior to my present invention, customarily delivered into the washing water reservoir. I have found, however, that this construction results in a waste of water, for the following reasons: The continuously running pump 63 draws water from the washout reservoir and delivers it to the washout line, the washout water being usually hotter than required. Cold water is automatically mixed there with by the action of the thermostat 72. The return water from the circulating line is delivered to the washing Water reservoir, thereby increasing the amount of water in the reservoir, and since cold water is being continually added to the washing water the amount of water in the reservoir is being continually increased until it eventually overflows through the overflow pipe 57. If the system is not used for a considerable period of time the amount of water wasted by the constant addition of cold water to the washout line is very large, and furthermore, the continued admixture of cold water gradually reduces the temperature of the water in the washing water reservoir.

In my present invention, therefore, the circulating line 7 5 is connected directly to the pump intake as at 7 6, so that the water is continually circulated in a closed circuit without being added to the water in the reservoir 6. To maintain the temperature of the water which is being continuously circulated I have interposed in the circulating line a coil 77 which is arranged in the washing water reservoir so that as the water is circulated in the line it is heated by the water surrounding the coil 77, thereby maintaining the proper temperature of water in the washout line and drops. Since the water in passing through the coil is not heated to a temperature as high as the surrounding water in the washing water reservoir it is not tempered down by admission of cold water through the thermostatically controlled valve 71 and accordingly the water is maintained at the required temperature without loss of water or material loss of heat units.

In Fig. i I have shown another form of means for maintaining a circulation of water in the washout drops. In this instance the washout drops 77 are taken of]? from the top of the washout line and the circulating branches 78 are returned and connected to the washout line by means of Y connections 79. The end of the washout line is connected to the circulating line 7 The warm water in the top of the washout line will rise and then flow downwardly in the drop 77 and be returned to the lower side of the washout line where the water is cooler through the branches 78. The circulation in the drops is further augmented by the flow of water in the washout line in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4i. In order to prevent back-flow of water from the circulating line into the cold water pipe etl a check valve 81 is interposed in the connecting pipe 69.

It will thus be obvious that I have made provision for circulating the water not only in the washout line but also in all of the drops, so that hot water may be obtained at any time at any of the drops for washout purposes. Furthermore, the water is circulated in a closed circuit so that the amount of water in the washing water reservoir is not increased when the system is not being used, and thereby I am enabled to save a considerable quantity of water and heat units which in other systems heretofore employed have been dissipated and lost when the system was standing idle.

My invention and its mode of operation should be fully understood from the foregoing without further description and it is manifest that the scope of my invention not circumscribed by the structural details shown and described but is capable of considerable modification within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washing water reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a washout line, a pump for delivering Water from said reservoir to said washout line, and a circulating line connected at one end with the washout line and at its other end to the pump intake whereby a circulation of water is maintained in said washout line.

2. in a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of awashing water reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a washout line, a pump for delivering water under pressure from said reservoir to said line, and a circulating line connecting the washout line and the intake to the pump, said circulating line comprising a portion arranged within said washing water reservoir.

In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washing water reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a washout line, a pump for delivering water from said reservoir to said line, means for tempering the washout water by admitting cold water to the pump intake to maintain a uniform temperature in the washout line, and a circulating line connected with the washout line and with the pump intake and comprising a coil disposed within said washing water reservoir.

l. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washing water reservoir, a washout line, a circulating line connected with the washout line and comprising a coil disposed within the washing water reservoir, and means for maintaining a circulation of water through said washout and circulating lines.

5. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washout line, a plurality of drops connected therewith, and

means for maintaining a circulation of water through said washout line and drops. 6. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washing water reservoir, a washout line, a plurality of drops connected with said line, and means comprising a normally closed circuit for main taining a circulation of water in said drops without returning the water to the reservoir.

7. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washing water reservoir, a washout line, a pump for delivering washing water to said line, a plurality of drops connected with the washout line, a main circulating line, and means connected with said circulating line for maintaining a circulation of water in said drops.

8. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washout line, a series of drops connected therewith, a pump for supplying water to said washout line, a cir relating line having its delivery end connected with the pump intake, and connections between said circulating line and said drops whereby a circulation of water is maintained in the drops.

9. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a washout line, a pump for supplying water thereto, a series of drops connected with said line, a circulating line having its delivery end connected with the pump intake, and connections between each of said drops and said circulating line, the drops being so connected with the circulating line that the maximum suction through the circulating line is exerted upon the drop which receives the minimum pressure through the washout line.

10. In a boiler washing and filling system,

the combination of a washout line, a pump for supplying water thereto, a series of drops connected with said line, a circulating line having its delivery end connected with the pump intake and its suction end connected with the successive drops, said circulating line being looped upon itself so that the drops are connected to the circulating line in inverse relation to their connection with the washout line.

11. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a reservoir, a delivery line, a pump for delivering water from the reservoir to said line, a plurality of drops connected with the line, a main circulating line, and means connected with said circulating line for maintaining a circulation of water in said drops.

12. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a delivery line, a series of drops connected therewith, a pump for supplying water to said line, a circulating line having its delivery end connected with the pump intake, and connections between said circulating line and saiddrops whereby a circulation of water is maintained in the drops.

13. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a delivery line, means for supplying water thereto, a series of drops connected with the line, a circulating line, and connections between each of said drops and said circulating line, the drops being connected with the said line and the circulating line respectively in inverse order.

FRANK W. MILLER. Witnesses IRA J. lVrLsoN, A. G. LATIMER.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

